We publish a lot of opportunities, and every now and then we see one that raises a few eyebrows and gets a few chuckles. Here's a collection of the 10 most unusual we've ever published...

#1 Taking the p**s

We recently published an opportunity for a client who was looking for a supplier to collect calf urine & kidney samples. 

#2 Why did the crab cross the road?

Never mind zebra crossings; the successful bidder was required to provide plans for crab bridges for use during the red crab migration.

#3 Poached, scrambled, or sunny side up?

In northern Australia there was an organisation who were on the hunt for a service that collects saltwater croc eggs. 

#4 One for nutters

The request was on the lookout for specialists to help with the de-nutting of coconut palm trees. No mention of whether the bidders went nuts for that one...

#5 Koalas on the move

Bidders had to prove their expertise in tree climbing and koala flagging in a project that formed part of a highway upgrade.

#6 Do not pass go...

...proceed directly to jail. A recent RFP sought designs for mobile prison cells. The Prisoner Modules were required to be fitted on the back of vehicles (after the appropriate testing of course). 

#7 Crocs for sale

And we don't mean the shoes! We've had bid responses for a bunch of live crocs, captured as part of a Saltwater Crocodile Management Program. 

#8 Bombs away

Geraldton ignited some interest when seeking “suitably qualified contractors to conduct an Unexploded Ordnance Survey.” 

#9 Like a moth to a flame

Are you a firestarter like Drew Barrymore? Then you’d have been burning with ambition to win the tender for self-propelled incendiary flares. Apparently the bidding got pretty heated...

#10 Keep the condoms coming

This one was a contract to restock the condom vending machines at prisons, with scope to grow the business, as the contract also called for future installation and the “responsible” removal of waste condoms.

For organisations who operate in the ‘niche,’ these notifications are an ideal way to shake out interested bidders, many of whom would not be on their radar. And if their radar needs to be maintained, well, you guessed it…